Fighting For Local Representation
Sun News
Opponents narrowly beat back an attempt to slash the State Board of Education from 17 members to seven.
Most of Horry County's House members voted in favor of the change, but those from Georgetown and Marion counties voted with lawmakers who said less-populated areas would lose representation.
The bill proposed to change the current makeup of the board from one representative from each of the 16 judicial circuits, plus an at-large seat, to one member from each of the six congressional districts and an at-large seat.
Traditionally, Horry and Georgetown counties have alternated representatives on the state board, whose members are elected by the legislative delegations of the judicial circuits.
State Rep. Vida Miller, D-Pawleys Island, led the charge against the bill.
"We need a voice," and would not have one under a congressional seat system, she said during the floor debate. The smaller counties would never have their chance at having someone on the board if the system changed, she said.
The current board chairman is Joe Isaac of Pawleys Island.
Miller said it's unlikely anyone from Georgetown County would ever get to be on the state board again if members were chosen based on congressional districts.
By a 57-46 vote, the bill was sent back to a committee, effectively killing it for this session. Voting to divert the bill, other than Miller, were Jim Battle, D-Nichols, and Jackie Hayes, D-Hamer.
Voting against putting the bill away were Liston Barfield, R-Aynor; Alan Clemmons, RMyrtle Beach; Tracy Edge, R-North Myrtle Beach; and Nelson Hardwick, R-Surfside Beach. The other members did not vote or were absent at that time.
Most of Horry County's House members voted in favor of the change, but those from Georgetown and Marion counties voted with lawmakers who said less-populated areas would lose representation.
The bill proposed to change the current makeup of the board from one representative from each of the 16 judicial circuits, plus an at-large seat, to one member from each of the six congressional districts and an at-large seat.
Traditionally, Horry and Georgetown counties have alternated representatives on the state board, whose members are elected by the legislative delegations of the judicial circuits.
State Rep. Vida Miller, D-Pawleys Island, led the charge against the bill.
"We need a voice," and would not have one under a congressional seat system, she said during the floor debate. The smaller counties would never have their chance at having someone on the board if the system changed, she said.
The current board chairman is Joe Isaac of Pawleys Island.
Miller said it's unlikely anyone from Georgetown County would ever get to be on the state board again if members were chosen based on congressional districts.
By a 57-46 vote, the bill was sent back to a committee, effectively killing it for this session. Voting to divert the bill, other than Miller, were Jim Battle, D-Nichols, and Jackie Hayes, D-Hamer.
Voting against putting the bill away were Liston Barfield, R-Aynor; Alan Clemmons, RMyrtle Beach; Tracy Edge, R-North Myrtle Beach; and Nelson Hardwick, R-Surfside Beach. The other members did not vote or were absent at that time.
The Senate agreed to devote the week to debate on property tax relief. Members spent most of the week before last on the issue but could not find a majority to agree.
The House proposed a plan of 2 additional cents of sales tax with the 7 cents replacing owner-occupied property taxes for schools, cities and counties.
The Senate does not want to interfere with city and county taxes, but can't agree on a substitute plan.
The Senate will not have committee meetings or other debate during the week, unless they finish early.
Most House committee meetings are to consider Senate bills. Last week was the deadline for each side to hand bills over to the other if they wanted them considered this session, which is set to end June 1.
Members continue to introduce bills, though many are resolutions of congratulations or road naming. As of Thursday evening, when the legislature adjourned, the House had recorded 2,068 bills and the Senate 1,382. Of those, 261 have become law.
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/14465027.htm- Full Story
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